Led Zepplin's Immigrant Song always comes to mind, among many others...

Ah-ahh, ah, Ah-ahh, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods
Will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying:
Valhalla, I am coming!
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.

Ah-ahh, ah, Ah-ahh, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
How soft your fields so green,
Can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war.
We are your overlords.
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Our only goal will be the western shore.
So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day
Despite of all your losing.

Along the same lines - how many people, when forging or tempering metal, hear the theme song to the the first "Conan" movie in their head, when the father is forging the sword.... other than me!

What? No selection for classical scores like Beethoven's Ninth or Carmina Burana? Who couldn't charge into battle with O Fortuna playing in the background? But, as an alternate I have to go with Zeppelin.

I also second the call for Blind Guardian. Just listened to Nightfall in Middle-Earth at the suggestion of a friend and loved it. Definitely battle-worthy music.

Pax,
Sam Barris

"Any nation that draws too great a distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards, and its fighting done by fools." —Thucydides

I didn't really have the chance to participate in any of the said events, but heavy / power metal would probably be my choice. Manowar has quite a few songs set in the viking / medieval period, and their ballads are really inspiring. Iron Maiden pops to mind also.

Swords in the wind (Manowar)

I Surrender My Soul Odin Hear My Call
One Day I'll Sit Beside Your Throne In Valhalla's Great Hall
Like So Many Before Me I'll Die With Honor And Pride
The Right Of A Warrior Forever To Fight By Your Side
Send A Sign Raise The Sail Wave A Last Goodbye
Destiny Is Calling Immortality Be Mine

Call The Witch To Cast The Runes, Weave A Magic Spell
We Who Die In Battle Are Born Not For Heaven Not For Hell

We Are Sons Of Odin The Fire We Burn Inside
Is The Legacy Of Warrior Kings Who Reign Above In The Sky

I Will Lead The Charge My Sword Into The Wind
Sons Of Odin Fight To Die And Live Again
Viking Ships Cross The Sea, In Cold Wind, And Rain
Sail Into The Black Of Night Magic Stars Our Guiding Light

Today The Blood Of Battle Upon My Weapons Will Never Dry
Many I'll Send Into The Ground Laughing As They Die.

We Are Sons Of Odin The Fire We Burn Inside
Is The Legacy Of Warrior Kings Who Reign Above In The Sky

I Will Lead The Charge My Sword Into The Wind
Sons Of Odin Fight To Die And Live Again
Viking Ships Cross The Sea, In Cold Wind, And Rain
Sail Into The Black Of Night Magic Stars Our Guiding Light

Place My Body On A Ship And Burn It In The Sea
Let My Spirit Rise Valkries Carry Me
Take Me To Valhalla Where My Brothers Wait For Me
Fire Burning To The Sky My Spirit Will Never Die

I Will Lead The Charge My Sword Into The Wind
Sons Of Odin Fight To Die And Live Again
Viking Ships Cross The Sea, In Cold Wind, And Rain
Sail Into The Black Of Night Magic Stars Our Guiding Light

I would second the call for a classical/orchestral option. No classical=no Wagner

I've never understood the bagpipes thing. I've always felt that they would annoy the enemy more than they would impress/frighten them. Personally speaking the sound of bagpipes has always made me want to kill the piper

Having thought about it I'd have to come down on the side of Metal from the choices above. Pantera's Mouth for War would do the trick.

Last edited by Darrin Hughes on Wed 08 Jul, 2009 12:36 pm; edited 2 times in total

Heather Alexander's "March of Cambreadth." I recently played this for a pacifist, and he commented it made him want to run out and hit people with a sword.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCrnF844_wwGloria Virtutem Sequitur

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